DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR ARMED FORCES LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM

HARRISBURG, DEC. 7 – State Sen. Connie Williams announced that the deadline for the Armed Forces Loan Forgiveness Program had been extended until Dec. 31, 2006, and that eligibility had been extended to include people who served (or will serve) on active duty in the armed forces between Sept. 11, 2001 and June 30, 2006.

“The men and women of our armed forces are on the frontlines defending and protecting the freedoms that we enjoy every day,” Williams said. “This loan forgiveness program is one way that Pennsylvania can say thank you for their hard work and dedication.”

To be eligible for loan forgiveness, applicants must have served in the armed forces in an active duty status during the qualifying period (Sept. 11, 2001 to June 30, 2006). Additionally, they must have an eligible loan and meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

The borrower must hold one of four connections to Pennsylvania: 1. currently a resident of Pennsylvania, 2. a non-resident who left a Pennsylvania school due to a call to active duty, 3. any Pennsylvania resident who was living in Pennsylvania at the time of enlistment and was in the military continuously through at least Sept. 11, 2001, regardless of current residence, or 4. any non-resident who attended a Pennsylvania-approved institution of postsecondary education, who went directly from the school into the U.S. Armed Forces, and was in the military continuously through at least Sept. 11, 2001, regardless of current place of residence.

The program provides up to $2,500 in a one-time loan forgiveness payment for student loan borrowers serving in the military.

Program applications are available online at www.pheaa.org and www.aesSuccess.org or may be requested by calling AES/PHEAA at 800-233-0557. If a borrower is overseas an application signed by the Power of Attorney will be accepted if the supporting documentation is provided.

The program was established in June of 2003 by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to recognize the bravery, dedication and loyalty of the men and women of the armed forces who served in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the nation.